Research
Crystals are like people, it is the defects in them which tend to make them interesting
Colin Humphreys
In advanced engineering materials, the state of microstructure determines the material’s behaviour in processing (production) and during device usage. Additionally, the microstructure evolves dynamically due to its constituent objects (i.e., defects or imperfections), which nucleate, move, and interact on multiple time and length scales.
We investigate material behaviour and engineering materials with computer simulations. Central to us are the dynamics of extended defects in these dynamic microstructures. From a materials engineering perspective, we want to enable rational materials engineering with defects.
Our approach to materials behaviour through computational materials science includes an interface to experiments to enable complementary insights and to utilize simulations as a predictive inspiration for novel experiments. The predictability of our simulation approach is rooted in parameter-free models and approaches, a sensible combination of multiscale simulation methods and theory addressing different aspects of engineering materials.
Research projects
Current and past funded projects
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Computational alloy design for cold spray deposition
Principal Investigators: Graham Schaffer, Zhe Liu, Tesfaye Molla, Christian Brandl This project aims to design a new generation of proprietary, high-performance alloys and composites optimised for cold spray deposition. Cold spray is a new manufacturing technology used to create coatings for enhancement, repair, restoration and additive manufacturing. This project will generate new knowledge for enhanced […]
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Development of an ICME Paradigm for Advanced Acoustic Materials
Principal Investigators: Graham Schaffer, Tuan Ngo, Christian Brandl, Peter Daivis Researchers from DST, the University of Melbourne and RMIT University will join with industry partners QinetiQ and Matrix Composites & Engineering to research new materials designed to enhance submarine stealth. https://t.co/Y1C0iVDqVr
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Self-organized point defect arrays in diamond (SODAs)
Principle investigator: Christian Brandl Application: Quantum technology More information On the structure of (111) twist grain boundaries in diamond: atomistic simulations with Tersoff-type interatomic potentials
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Identification of the intrinsic deformation mechanisms of single-phase body-centred cubic high entropy alloys
A project in the DFG Priority Programme “Compositionally Complex Alloys – High Entropy Alloys (CCA-HEA)” (SPP 2006) Principal Investigators: Ruth Schwaiger, Christian Brandl Body-centred cubic (BCC) refractory high-entropy alloys (HEAs) have been studied as novel metallic systems for high-temperature applications due to their, for example, superior strength, excellent thermal stability, and oxidation resistance even at […]
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Interaction of interstitial solid-solution impurities and dislocation motion in body-centred cubic metals
Principal Investigators: Christian Brandl The development of novel materials for high-temperature applications also entails the knowledge of 1) the fundamental mechanisms responsible for materials mechanical behaviour and 2) how does the materials composition modify these mechanisms. The motion of these dislocations and the mutual interaction of dislocations amongst themselves and with impurities govern the macroscopic […]